Sports and Exercise Medicine

Gait Analysis & Treadmill Testing

Gait analysis is used to assess, plan and treat adults and children with conditions affecting their ability to walk and run. It is most commonly used in sports to help athletes run more efficiently and to identify posture-related or movement-related problems in athletes with injuries.

Similarly, treadmill testing is used to help athletes achieve maximum performance and decrease injury. In some instances, treadmill testing may be conducted regardless of an individual’s sport and is used as a way to assess a patient after injury. Treadmill testing is useful to conduct dynamic assessments of patients regardless of their sport. For example, physicians will often test soccer players who have had concussions to make sure they can tolerate exercise before returning to play.

Our physicians offer gait analysis and treadmill testing with the needs of athletes in mind, especially those who are injured. At Albany Med, a physician with unique training in exercise physiology and sports medicine oversees gait analysis. Evaluations are performed by a sports medicine expert with the goal of treating walking or running-related concerns. Running mechanics can also be evaluated for individuals who are interested in improving performance.